Rodeo Team Finds Success in Team Roping

SUU’s rodeo team has competed in the Idaho State University’s Bengal Round-Up Rodeo on Sept. 15, 16 in Pocatello, Idaho and Utah State University Eastern’s Rodeo Sept. 22 and 23 in Price.

The men’s team is still ranked 5th in the Rocky Mountain Region, now with 750 points. They are currently 235 points away from overtaking Idaho State University’s 980 points. The women’s team is now ranked 11th with 7.50 points.

Cody Franson, a sophomore agricultural science and industries major from Lehi, still holds second place in bareback bronc riding. He now has 400 points, and needs 130 points to upset Edward Brasfield from Colorado Mesa University for Brasfield’s 535 point first place hold.

Jacob Perkins, a junior agricultural science and industries major from Panguitch, has dropped to ninth place in tie-down roping. Still with 90 points, Perkins is tied with Idaho State’s Zachary Elkstom. Perkins has also ranked in team roping header, with 130 points landing him in sixth place. He is only 10 points away from Colorado Northwestern Community College’s Wyatt Hallam’s fifth place spot.

New to the rankings is Zackary Frei, a junior agriculture science and industries major from Iowa City, Iowa. Frei is in fifth in team roping heeler with 130 points, and is tied with College of Southern Idaho’s Jake Logan-Marvel.

Frei grew up ranching and riding, and he said in high school he caught the team roping bug. After finding success in local competitions Frei wanted to take it to the next level with competing. Frei’s cousin was on the rodeo team when he cam to SUU and was able to convince Frei to join.

“You just get addicted and you want to do more and more and more as you learn,” Frei said.

Frei ropes both head and heel, but when he came to SUU Perkins was looking for a heel partner. They have been roping together for a little over a year now, and three or four times a week will practice with steers that Perkins has.

“It’s really good, he’s an awesome kid. Great example to the whole team,” Frei said of their partnership. “We got a good chemistry with each other and get along really well. Really feel off each other when we’re roping.”

Frei has two horses that he rides, Arizona and a younger horse named Chexy.

The team’s next rodeo will be on Sept. 29 and 30 in Logan at Utah State University’s Fall Stampede Rodeo.

To stay up to date on all of the news for SUU’s rodeo team follow them on Facebook and on Instagram.